Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron is pleased to announce the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) has awarded the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office the CALEA National Re-Accreditation Award.
This prestigious award was bestowed upon the Sheriff’s Office at the CALEA National Conference held on July 31, 2010.
The CALEA Commission was established as an independent accrediting authority in 1979 by four major law enforcement executive associations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; the National Sheriff’s Association; and the Police Executive Research Forum. These associations represent approximately 80 percent of the law enforcement profession within the United States.
The Commission was instituted to develop a set of professional law enforcement standards and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could voluntarily demonstrate that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and operations as they deliver law enforcement services to the community.
The award is the culmination of three years of intensive self-assessment of the agency’s policies and practices to ensure the Sheriff’s Office reflects the four hundred and sixty four international best practices standards of excellence.
From April 24 through April 27, 2010, CALEA assessors consisting of law enforcement professionals from other jurisdictions performed an on-site assessment of the agency which resulted in a very positive report and support of re-accreditation by the CALEA’s full commission.
The final step of the three-year re-accreditation journey for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was a formal commissions hearing on July 31st before a CALEA board of commissioners. The commissioners received testimony from Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, Civilian Administrator Brian Eley and Accreditation Manager Pamela McKay. The board commented on the professionalism of the Sheriff’s Office and complimented Sheriff Cameron for many of his agency’s initiatives. The commission hearing ended with a unanimous vote in support of re-accreditation to the full CALEA Commission.
Amongst law enforcement professionals, this award is considered one of the most difficult awards of accreditation to achieve and maintain. It truly reflects the quality of law enforcement service in St. Mary’s County and the spirit of CALEA – providing and promoting positive interactions between the agency and the citizens they are sworn to serve.
Accepting the award on behalf of the agency was Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, Accreditation Manager Pamela McKay and Civilian Administrator Brian Eley, pictured with CALEA CEO Sylvester Daughtry, Jr. and CALEA Commissioner Louis M. Dekmar.
